After weeks of intense fighting between Israeli and Palestinian forces in Gaza, a ceasefire will being on Friday, Qatar’s foreign minister has announced. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will reportedly involve a prisoner swap, as well as the release of dozens of civilians held hostage by the militant group in Gaza.
Qatar, a strong supporter of Hamas, mediated the terms of the truce between the two sides. The agreement is said to include a prisoner exchange, as well as an easing of Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The truce is expected to lead to the opening of a new border crossing between Israel and Gaza, as well as the lifting of restrictions on imports and exports.
The prisoner swap agreement between Hamas and Israel will reportedly involve the release of over 100 prisoners from both sides. Hamas would be required to release Israeli captives, while Israel is expected to release hundreds of Palestinians. The prisoner exchange is expected to be carried out in stages, and further details are expected in the coming days.
The ceasefire comes after a fierce 11-day battle in Gaza, in which over 200 people have been killed and thousands more left homeless. Hostilities were sparked after Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem in retaliation for the eviction of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. Israel then launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in response, leading to a considerable amount of destruction and loss of life.
Despite the agreement, mistrust remains between the two sides, and it is uncertain whether peace will be achieved in the long-term. But this ceasefire does represent a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, and could bring much-needed hope to the region.
